by Mary Killelea on August 9, 2009

This week Twitter servers were down for a bit due to a server attack. Then those that were freaking out went to facebook and caused their server to go down for  a bit too.

Even though it doesn’t seem like a big deal for twitter to be down for a bit or for facebook to go down for a few minutes it is a HUGE deal if all of your marketing efforts are only utilizing one social media channel.  So let’s say you only use Twitter as your means of marketing. How vulnerable and frustrated were you when Twitter was down?

This is a valuable lesson that goes to show you, you should never, ever rely on one service to get your message out.

Twitter is great and is a fun platform for engaging people, and if you’re doing it correctly and adding content of value to Twitter most likely you are seeing some good traffic benefits from participating on Twittere.  But you shouldn’t be using JUST Twitter (or any other service) to communicate with your customers, readers or clients.

It is so important to also get a Facebook fan page. One easy way is to do what I have done. I have added a facebook widget on my blog .. check out the one on this page where you can easily become a fan.  Also another important thing to do as a business owner/marketer is to start collecting email subscribers so you can communicate with them directly and encourage RSS subscriptions and make it easy for RSS readers to also have the ability to get your feeds via email as well.

By offering these variety of ways to get your message out you can reach your fans, friends and subscribers through a variety of channels eliminating your frustration if Twitter or Facebook goes down. You still have other avenues of marketing tactics to get your message out and continue on with your daily business goals.

Why should you be on Twitter or Facebook.. here is some quick stats:

Twitter.com is a top 50 site that reaches over 27 million U.S. monthly people. The site attracts a slightly more female than male group

Facebook.com is a top 10 site that reaches over 91 million U.S. monthly people. The site attracts a more affluent, teen and young adult, very slightly female biased following.

 Whether you have a huge number of followers or a huge number of fans an important thing to recognize is the  goal with social media isn’t just to gain a  large numbers of subscribers or followers. (If they’re un-targeted subscribers, perhaps people who are just following you so that you follow them back, they’re pretty much worthless). What you want and need to do with social media is attract people interested in you, in your niche and then funnel them into other channels, other places, where you can reach them.

Keep in mind too that people prefer different methods of communication. Again another reason to make sure your marketing message is utlizing the various social media channels. One person might love email and hate Facebook, have a Twitter account but never use it and be a casual RSS reader.  Another person might never check their email, RSS feeds or Twitter but be live on Facebook.

Your job as a successful business marketer is to be in contact with your audience, potential customers, clients, reader, subscribers in whatever medium or platform they choose and are comfortable with.  You need to be where they are.  You need to be right there in front of them whenever they open up their favorite app or web address to see what’s happening.

In closing here are the take aways fromt this article.  You must diversify your Social media mix.  Good luck!

I am currently working on putting together an Internet marketing strategy for one of my clients.  There are a lot of standard points to follow but it is important to treat each customer uniquely as their goals are unique to their own business goals.  So use your tool box of knowledge to customize specific marketing strategies for each of your clients.

Having an Internet Marketing Strategy (which is a term that has grown quite popular in recent months) can be beneficial in many ways.

The goal is to get more traffic, enhance your branding, and sell more products  |  The solution and approach is all in the strategy.

Below is a list of 10 things to help you get started:

1. Start with an effective web design and development strategy. Have a good website that people trust, is easy to navigate, they like it and they can gain beneficial information from it or at they can be entertained by it.  Give them a reason to visit and a reason to stay!
2. Get ranked at the top in major search engines, and practice good Search Optimization Techniques.  — INVEST IN THIS!! You can have the best site ever but if you don’t get eyes on it .. you wont do any business.
3. Learn to use Email Marketing Effectively - there are some very successful techniques and strategies around email marketing to emulate.
4. Dominate your marketing niche with affiliate, reseller, and associate programs. (Make extra passive income as well)
5. Request an analysis from an Internet marketing coach or Internet marketing consultant. — Sometimes you are too close the forest that you can’t see the trees!
6. Build a responsive opt-in email list. - Worth GOLD! Don’t ever abuse it and become a spammer or sell lists.
7. Publish articles or get listed in news stories.  -  Worth the time or worth the cost of outsourcing it.
8. Write and publish online press releases. - Worth the time or worth the cost of outsourcing it.
9. Facilitate and run contests and giveaways via your web site. - Give reasons for customers to come back and interact with you. Everyone Loves the thought of winning something FREE.
10. Blog and interact with your visitors. - Create and Build relationships with your customers!